Parents, teachers, guardians, and even babysitters are all people who are routinely responsible for the care and well-being of children. Because both infants and children are not capable of making the decisions and taking the actions necessary to keep themselves safe, they are dependent on the knowledge and efforts of those who care for them.
At any point during the day, a child is faced with potential threats from the things around them. From the food that they eat to the water in which they bathe, the risk of injury is something that people should always take seriously. While parents may instinctively know how to keep children safe in certain cases, it’s important to learn how to do it in every situation.
The ACLS Training Center offers a free, online, comprehensive Pediatric Health and Safety Guide that addresses many areas of childhood safety, including:
Home Safety
A good safety guide will instruct parents on what is necessary to create a home environment for their children that is the least likely to result in injury or death. Information often includes what should be done before the birth of the baby and through various stages of his or her life. It will also advise parents on what changes to make around the home to make it a safer environment.
Neighborhood Safety Information
While parents may feel that playing within one’s own neighborhood is relatively okay, it is important to ensure its safety. One way to do that is to get to know one’s neighbors. By becoming acquainted with the people who live around them, parents within the neighborhood can more easily look out for each other’s children and will be more aware of suspicious people, behavior, and activities.
Children who are old enough to play outdoors also should be given rules regarding where they can and cannot play. Instruct children not to talk, leave with, or otherwise engage anyone without permission from a parent.
School and Bus Safety
There are certain rules that children should obey at all times on and off school buses. These rules will help keep them safe in the event of an accident while on-board and prevent them from accidentally being struck by one.
When riding the bus, parents will want to ensure that their children arrive at least five minutes before its arrival. They should wait for it on the curb and never run, shove, or otherwise play near a bus stop. When the bus arrives, children should stand a minimum of ten feet from it at all times and in a location where they are visible to the driver. While on the bus, children should sit quietly and remain in their seats at all times. When getting off of the bus, they should do so carefully, checking to ensure that there are no cars that are passing on the shoulder.
Choking Hazards
Choking is a genuine threat for young children. While food is the first thing that most people think of, there are numerous potential choking hazards around the home. As a parent, it is important to keep these hazards out of children’s reach and to know what to do if a child should choke on an object.
In terms of food, there are certain foods that represent a greater threat than others, particularly for children who are transitioning to, or who are new to solid nutrition. Common foods that have high choking risks include hard candy, popcorn, gumballs, peanuts and raw vegetables. Certain foods such as hot dogs are also considered choking hazards when cut into round slices.
Other than food, items such as buttons, batteries, balloons, coins and marbles are all examples of choking hazards that are found in the home.
Water Safety
Water poses a common threat to small children. Infants and very young children can drown in amounts of water that are as low as one-inch. Often when these drownings occur, even in larger bodies of water such as pools, it is with minimal sound. A child who is submerged in water may suffer from irreversible brain damage after four minutes have passed, or even worse, they may die.
To keep children safe from the threat that water poses, empty water from buckets, keep toilet seats closed, and drain bathtubs. Don’t leave small children and infants unattended when bathing them, even for a few minutes. Children as old as 12 years should never be left in pools or allowed to swim anywhere without supervision.
Food Allergies
Food allergies often are unexpected and an allergic reaction can completely take parents unaware. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, one in 13 children who are age 17 and younger have a food allergy. An estimated 90 percent of most food allergies, according to Boston Children’s Hospital, are caused by eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts.
Parents must be aware of the signs associated with an allergic reaction. They must also be aware that some reactions can be so severe as to cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency care and involves throat swelling, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and elevated heart rate. Outside of this most severe response, parents should look for signs such as hives, rash, lip, tongue or face swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, wheezing, shortness or difficulty breathing and dizziness, to name a few.
Once a child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, adjustments must be made to ensure that their child does not come into contact with it. This means checking food labels, notifying teachers, parents of friends, and carefully checking the ingredients used in foods cooked at restaurants.
Outdoor Safety
Kids love to play outside where they have plenty of room to run, jump, enjoy the sun, or splash in the puddles. Adults can take steps to reduce the risk of injury by creating a safe outdoor environment. Before allowing kids to play outside look for anything that can cause an injury, such as sharp objects or poisonous substances, and make sure they are properly stored.
It is also important to be aware of any potentially poisonous plants in the yard. If infants or toddlers are playing outdoors, they should not be left unsupervised. Depending on the age of the children, parents should designate a portion of the yard for play.
Poison Prevention and Safety
Babies and small children do not recognize the threat that common household items pose. Children often stick things within their reach into their mouths. Poisonous items can be found in nearly every room in the house. When there are small children in the home, adults should take care to place items in cupboards that are locked or beyond the reach of their kids. When using items, parents should be certain to close them and put them where they belong immediately after use.
Click here to view the entire Pediatric Health and Safety guide.
